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1099-NEC: A Crucial Tax Form for Independent Contractors

by
Bob Mason
on
3/14/2021
1099-NEC: A Crucial Tax Form for Independent Contractors

Paying taxes on income is part of every working American’s civic responsibility, and though it would be nice if the process were easy and straightforward, it seems as if it gets more complex with every passing year. Along with the annual challenges of gathering documents and calculating deductions, the loss of income suffered by many as a result of the pandemic means 2020’s tax season will be problematic for some.

Independent contractors – or gig workers as they are sometimes called – have always had to file taxes differently than those who are W-2 employees, but this year there is an additional change as a result of a new tax form called the 1099-NEC.

Where employees don’t have to worry about reporting their income because all of the information is gathered by their employers and compiled on the W-2 that they receive in January of each year, gig workers have to report their own income, usually using Schedule C of the 1040. They also report their expenses so that net income can be calculated. This means that all of the money they receive from clients and all of the money that they spend for their business needs to be tracked: The more organized the gig worker is, the easier tax time will be.

The 1099 and Gig Worker Taxes

Businesses who hire freelancers and independent contractors are required to have them fill out a W-9 form which provides the worker’s identifying information, including their tax I.D., so that any amount paid over $600 can be reported to the IRS by January 31st of each year. Those payments were previously reported using a 1099-MISC, but for 2020 the IRS created a new form for non-employee compensation called the 1099-NEC.

Though the freelancer’s clients are not required to issue a 1099-NEC unless they pay over $600 in a calendar year, gig workers are supposed to report all income so that they can pay the appropriate amount of taxes. Even if you don’t receive a 1099-NEC from a client that should have issued one, they are still responsible for reporting the income. That is why it is so important to keep track of every dollar that comes in and goes out. A client’s non-compliance with the requirement is no excuse for not reporting income accurately, and if the government learns that income has not been reported, the blame falls on the worker rather than on the client.

Even more importantly, reporting income and paying appropriate taxes benefits the gig worker in the long run. Income and taxes paid are the basis for the Social Security payments that they will receive as retirement benefits in the future. Not paying in now means not receiving funds down the road.

If you are a gig worker and your clients don’t send you a 1099-NEC, it’s a good idea to take note for 2021 and make a point of completing a W-9 whether they (or new clients) ask for one or not. By doing this as well as diligently keeping a record of all of the income that you receive throughout the year, you’ll be able to 1) anticipate which clients should send a 1099-NEC form, 2) which won’t be sending one because you’re under the $600 threshold, and 3) accurately and responsibly report the correct amount of income to the IRS when it’s time to file your 1040.

If you have any questions about reporting income as a gig worker, or if you need help with your 2020 taxes, contact your tax professional.

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Bob Mason

Bob Mason

Bob Mason is the founder of Coast Financial Services Inc. servicing both the Santa Cruz, and San Jose areas. Bob Mason is a skilled financial professional who is fully equipped to assist any of your accounting needs. Founding his firm in Santa Cruz, Bob understands the importance of small businesses and how they form the backbone of the area. Coast Financial Services, Inc. has been dedicated to the growth and profitability of businesses in Santa Cruz for 17 years. To learn more about Bob Mason and the rest of his team, visit their website.

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